DAILY BRIEFS: Fests A-Plenty -- New York Women, Hitchcock, and Ebert

The New York Women’s Film Festival returns for a third year next week withfocus on a number of films that, according to festival founder SuzanneMyers, have had little exposure. Among the films selected for the eventare Penelope Spheeris‘ documentary, “The Decline of Western CivilizationPart III,” a compelling look present day punk rock street kids in Hollywood— the films debuted at the Sundance Film Festival.

The NYWFF, running April 22-25 at the NYU Cantor Film Center, openswith a showing of Shirley Clarke‘s “The Connection,” and concludes with ascreening of Patricia Toye‘s Belgian film, “Rosie.” Agnieszka Holland andBarbara Kopple will both be honored during the 1999 festival.

This week, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City kicks off what isbeing billed as the most comprehensive retrospective of the work offilmmaker Alfred Hitchcock ever held in the United States. Following aninvitation-only screening and reception showcasing Hitchcock’s 1959 film,“North by Northwest,” two months of screenings will begin on Friday.Included in the program are features films, shorts made by the filmmakerfor the British Government, and documentaries about the director himself.Also being offered is a gallery exhibition of posters, photos, productiondesigns and other documents, as well as interactive “Multimedia Hitchcock“kiosks placed throughout the museum. Finally, MoMA has also built aspecial Hitchcock subsite on its Internet website.

The University of Illinois is teaming up with alum Roger Ebert to presentthe critic’s “Overlooked Film Festival,” showcasing movies that Ebert feels“deserve a second look and a second chance” — movies that, according to afestival statement, have been overlooked by audiences, critics, anddistributors.”